Window regulator mechanism



N 1938. s. w. NICHOLSON 2,135,196

WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM Filed Feb. 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet l f i L J Em 42 42/ 4) Q7 FIE-.1.

Nov. 1, 1938. s. w NICHOLSON 2,135,196

WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM Filed Feb. 1, 19s? 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 1, 1938. s. w NICHOLSON 2,135,196

WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM Filed Feb. 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I "IE;:'Z I" I E: 4-

Nov. 1, 1938. s.w. NICHOLSON WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 1

Nov. 1, 1938.

S. W NICHOLSON WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM Filed Feb. 1, 19:57

!iiiliiliiiii- 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM g an Application February 1, 1937, Serial No. 123,411

18 Claims.

This invention relates to window regulators but more particularly to window regulators adapted for use on vehicles, such as automobiles and trailers.

An object is to produce a new and improved window regulator which is adapted to be positioned substantially in alignment with the window instead of at one side thereof as window regulators are ordinarily mounted.

Another object is to produce a window regulator having a flexible drive so constructed and designed as to be operated from almost any point within the vehicle.

A further object is to produce a window regulator which can be inexpensively manufactured and which is operable to shift the window without imparting thereto any substantial lateral force.

A still further object of the invention is to produce a regulator which is linked to the window and has one or more swinging arms for effecting window movement but in addition translatory movement is imparted to the arms so that a substantially large movement can be imparted to the window by a relatively short arm or arms.

Further objects and advantages of the invention reside in details of construction and design as hereinafter pointed out, but for purposes of illustration, embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1. is a side elevation of a portion of a coach trailer, parts being broken away to show the regulator mechanism mounted in place:

Fig, 2 is a side elevation of the window regulating mechanism showing the positionof the parts when the window is moved substantially to one of its extended positions;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of an automobile body, parts being broken away to show the regulator mechanism and a foot pedal device for actuating the regulator mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the regulator mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the carriage plates;

- Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the sheaves showing the regulator arrangement between which one of the regulator arms fits;

Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional view showing the manner in which the carriage plates are secured together;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of one of the gears showing the dog mounted thereon;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevation partly in action of the handle operated drive;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line ll-Il of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view ot a portion of the sheave with a part broken away to show an alternate form of dog arrangement;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a door with a part broken away to show an alternate form of regulator mechanism;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged elevation of the regulator mechanism shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view on the line 15-45 of Fig. 16, and

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view substantially on the line IS-IB of Fig. 14.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention shown on Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a trailer Ill having a window frame It in which a glass I2 is slidable vertically to and from closed position. Secured to the lower horizontal edge of the glass I2 is a retainer l3 having horizontally spaced brackets H to which depending links l5 are pivoted in any suitable manner. The lower ends of the links I5 are pivoted respectively to the outer or free ends of swinging regulator arms l6 and H. The inner end of the regulator arm I6 is secured as by spot welding to a gear l6 and the inner end of the arm l5 and the gear l6 rotate about a pin l8 having a head I9. The head I! is slotted to receive inturned portions of a side wall of the carriage or housing 20. In practice, the inturned portions are first inserted in the slot of the head l9 and then the metal of the head is upset securely to fasten the parts together. The gear l6 meshes with a gear 2| which is spot welded to the arm II. The gear 21 rotates about the head 22 of a pin 23, the head 22 being secured to the opposite side wall of the carriage 2D in a manner similar to that of the head l9. The arm I! also swings about the pin 23 as an axis.

The side walls or plates forming the housing 20 are similarly constructed, Fig. 6 showing one of such plates having an inturned portion l9 which is securely fastened to the heads of the pins as above described and having an annular tooth opening 24. Each of the side wall plates of the carriage 20 have upper and lower raised portions iill at the marginal edges which are secured by rivets 20 to the opposite plate (Fig. 8), thereby to provide a housing for the gears and a movable carriage as will hereinafter appear.

The teeth of the opening 24 are engageable by teeth 25 of pawls 26 which are pivoted at 21 in diametrically opposed relation to one side of the gear 2|. A spring 26 normally urges the tooth end of each pawl 26 outwardly from the center of the gear. The pawls 26 are disposed within the toothed opening 24 formed in the walls or plates of the carriage 20 (Fig. 5).

Disposed at the outer side of the arm I! and mounted on the pin 23 is a sheave 29, the pin having a groove 36 at its outer end and a plate 3| being apertured to slide over the grooved portion 30. A screw 32 secures the plate 3| to the sheave 29 for holding the latter against axial movements relative to the pin 23. The sheave 29 has a cable-receiving groove 33 which is closest to the pin 23 at one end and curves outwardly therefrom substantially as shown on Fig. 4 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. An inner flange of the sheave 29 is slotted at 34 to provide clearance for the arm Movement of the sheave is imparted to the pawls 26 and drives the gear 2| through the pins 21.

The inner end of the arm I! is disposed between lugs 35 formed on the inner face of the sheave 29 adjacent the pin 23. The lugs 35 are spaced from each other substantially the width of the arm I! and are disposed diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm. Secured to the sheave adjacent the outer end of the groove 33 at 36 is a cable 31 which fits into the groove.

Secured to the inner end of the arm I6 is an extension 38 to which one end of a spiral spring 39 is secured, the opposite end of the spring 39 being secured to the pin I8.

The gears l6 and 2| mesh with gear teeth 49 and 4| respectively which are formed in bars 42 and 43 respectively. The bars 42 and 43 are substantially L-shaped and are secured together by rivets 44 and 45. As shown in Fig. 1, one end of the arm 42 is secured to a base member 46 of the trailer and the upper end of the arm 43 is secured to a frame part 41. Upward movement of the carriage 26 is resisted by an helical coiled spring 46, the lower end of which engages a hook 49 secured to the frame bar 42.

In operation, it will be understood that a pull exerted on the cable 31 will swing the sheave 29 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 4), and by engagement of both of the lugs 35 with the inner end of the pawls 26, the gear 2| will be driven. The gear 2| thereby moves arm H in a counterclockwise direction. It will be understood that engagement between the lugs 35 and the pawls 26 will rock the latter away from the teeth 24 in the carriage 29. Rotation of the gear 2| imparts rotation to the gear I6 with which it meshes thereby swinging the arm I6 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4). Thus, the arms |6 and I1 swing upwardly and through the links |5 impart movement to the window l2.

The swinging movements of the arms I6 and H are supplemented by the upward movement of the carriage 26 caused by rotation of the gears 2| and "5* by way of engagement with the rack teeth 4| and 49 respectively. As a consequence, it will be apparent that not only do the arms l6 and I1 swing upwardly but in addition, bodily or translatory movement of the carriage 26 further imparts the window movement. This is particularly advantageous in that relatively short arms may be employed and a very substantial window movement efiected. As the carriage 20 moves upwardly, the spiral spring 39 is wound but upon movement in the opposite direction, the spring is unwound thereby to assist in starting the downward movement of the window glass. Also, it will be noted that the upward movement of the carriage 2|] places the helical spring 48 under tension so that it functions to assist in the downward movement of the window glass l2.

As soon as the tension on the cable 31 is released, by way of a force exerted through the arms l6 and I1, such as by lifting up on the window glass l2, the lugs 35 are released from the pawls 26, the movements of the pawls being caused by springs 28, which also move the pawls into engagement with the teeth 24 in the carriage 20. This operates effectively to lock the parts in place and militates against someone on the outside of the vehicle lifting upward on the window glass I2. It will be apparent that as soon as any pull is exerted on the cable 31, the lugs 35, upon engagement with the pawls 26, will move them out of engagement with the teeth 24 and allow the mechanism to operate.

One advantage of the regulator mechanism above described is that a flexible cable can be utilized for operating it. By the use of a flexible cable, the manually operated crank handle can be disposed in any desired position either close to or at a remote point from the window. This is particularly important in the case of trailers because equipment inside the trailer frequently prevents the placing of the window operating handle in close juxtaposed relation to the window.

As shown, the cable 31 leads from the sheave 29 to a sheave or reel 49 to which one end of the cable may be anchored. Formed internally of the reel 49 is an internal gear 59 with which a pinion 5| meshes. The pinion 5| is operated through a spring clutch mechanism (not shown) 52 by a crank handle 53. The spring clutch mechanism within the housing 52 is well-known to those skilled in this art and operates to permit rotation of the handle in either direction but prevents retrograde movement and operates as a brake to hold the handle in the adjusted position. A clutch of this character is shown and described in United States Patent No. 1,876,654, dated September 13, 1932. This locking action retains the window glass |2 in the adjusted position. From the above description, it will be apparent that upon turning the crank handle 53 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1), the window glass l2 will be raised or moved in a primary direction, through the mechanism above described. By turning the handle 53 in the opposite direction, the cable 31, although under tension, is released to permit the spring 48 to lower the window glass or move same in a secondary direction.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3, the above described regulator mechanism is employed but instead of employing a crank handle for effecting the window movement, a foot pedal 54, which is pivoted to the floor board at 55 is employed. The foot pedal 54 is connected to the sheave 29 by a cable 31*- and passes about a guide sheave 56. In this instance, the regulator mechanism is mounted on a door D which is hinged to the body at its front end as indicated at 51. By depressing the pedal, the window I2 can be raised and by first depressing the pedal to unlock the dog mechanism and then permitting the lever to move rearwardly, the window will be lowered by the action of spring 46. When the door is open, the pull will be transferred to the pedal 54 so that the window will remain in the 15 adjusted position. Upon closing of the door, the weight of the pedal, being assisted by a light spring, will return to its previous position. Since the mechanism operates in accordance with that above described, further description is not considered necessary.

Fig. 12 shows an alternate form of pawl arrangement. In that instance, the pawl 26 remains and in addition thereto thereto are L- shaped pawls 58, one arm of each being engageable by the free end of a pawl 26. Springs 28 urge both pawls into engagement with the teeth 24 on the carriage plate. Upon movement of the sheave, lugs 35 mounted thereon engage the pawls 26 and move them and the pawls 58 out of engagement with the teeth. By utilizing two pawls in this manner, locking is effected against movement of gear 2! in either direction, when tension on the cable 31 is released.

In the form of the invention shown on Figs. 13 to 16, the regulator mechanism is applied to an automobile door 59 having a vertically movable Window I2 Connected to a base portion of the door frame 60 is an upright post 6| on the upper end of which is mounted a supporting plate 62. Pivotally mounted on the plate 62 is a pair of laterally spaced gears 63 and 64 which mesh with each other. The gears 63 and 64 provide integral parts of swinging arms and 68 respectively. The outer ends of these arms are connected by links 61 to laterally spaced portions of a channel member 68 secured to a lower edge of the window. Connecting the gears 63 and 64 is a spring 69 which, when the arms are swung upwardly, is placed under tension for assisting in lowering the window It", it being understood that the force of gravity assists in this movement.

For actuating the gears 63 and 54 is a pinion 'lil which meshes with the gear 63. The pinion forms a part of a disk II which is concentric with and is disposed within a sheave I2. Pivoted respectively to the sheave l2 and disc H are dogs 13. The outer edge portions 14 of the dogs 13 are adapted to bind into engagement with an internal annular surface of a stationary cup i! which is secured by an arm li to the post El, thereby to prevent relative movement of the parts when tension on the cable 31' is released. A spring is fixed to the sheave l2 and disc 1| at its ends and urges the dogs into engagement with the cup Il Anchored at one end to the sheave 12 is the cable 31*, the opposite end of which is anchored to the sheave or reel 49 as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

It is believed that the operation of this regulator mechanism will be apparent from the description above furnished. This form differs from. the previously described form in that the raising and lowering of the window is effected solely by the swinging movements of the arms 65 and 66 and as a consequence, these arms must be longer than the arms l6 and II. It will be further understood that in connection with both forms, the regulator mechanism can be arranged substantially in alignment with the window so that the force is exerted directly thereagainst without any lateral shifting movement of the connection between the arms or links and the retainer element. This is highly desirable in that it eliminates lateral forces which tend to cause the window glass to bind in its vertical gu des. By exerting the force directly against the window to move it to and from closed position, a much more satisfactory operating device is produced and in accordance with the structures described, not only can the window be operated irom. a remote point disposed in any desired location, but in addition, the regulator can be conveniently and quickly connected to and disconnected from the window.

Among the features resulting from the above described regulators is that in each form spring means operates to break the toggle formed by the regulator arms and links when lowering of the window is desired. When the window is moved to one of its extreme positions, the toggles are nearly straight but upon release of the cable drive or control, the spring means becomes effective to break the toggles. This is manifestly the result in the case of the torsional spring 69, the tendency of which is to swing the arms 65 outward in a toggle-breaking direction. Attention should also be given to the arrangement in which a brake 52 is disposed at one end of the cable drive and another brake or clutch (pawls 26 or dogs 13) forms a part of the regulator, being disposed at the opposite end of the cable. The latter militates against lifting of the window glass by grasping the free edge and also against rattles when the vehicle is in use. The brake 52 serves to prevent movement of the window glass by pushing on the free edge and also functions to retain the window in the adjusted position when moved in one direction or another.

It is to be understood that changes in details of construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a regulator mechanism for vehicle windows, a pair of oppositely disposed arms operatively connected at one end to raise and lower a window, means engaging the opposite ends of said arms to cause said arms to swing conjolntly, separate means to impart translatory movement to said arms during swinging movement thereof, and a manually operated flexible drive for said arms.

2. In a regulator mechanism for vehicle windows, a pair of oppositely disposed arms operatively connected at one end to raise and lower a window, means engaging the opposite ends of said arms to cause said arms to swing conjointly, separate means to impart translatory movement to said arms during swinging movement thereof, brake means associated with said arms for holding same in any position of adjustment, and a manually operated flexible drive for said arms 3. In a regulator mechanism for vehicle windows, a pair of oppositely disposed swinging arms operatively connected at one end to raise and lower a window, conjoint means engaging the opposite ends of said arms for operating same including means for moving said arms with the same effort throughout their travel and means for imparting translatory movement to said arms during swinging movement thereof, and a flexible drive for said conjoint means.

4. In a regulator mechanism for a vehicle window, a pair of oppositely disposed swinging arms, links pivoted respectively to the free ends oi said arms and to the window, a pair of meshing gears to which the opposite ends of said arms are secured respectively, a carriage for said gears. oppositely disposed racks with which said gears mosh respectively, a member coaxial with one arm and mounted for movement therewith, and manual means for actuating said member.

5. In a regulator mechanism for a vehicle window, a pair of oppositely disposed swinging arms, links pivoted respectively to the free ends of said arms and to the window, a pair of meshing gears to which the opposite ends of said arms are secured respectively, a carriage for said gears, oppositely disposed racks with which said gears mesh respectively, a cam member fixed for movement with one arm, a flexible drive engaging said cam member and cooperating therewith for actuating said arms, and brake means operative to hold said arms in adjusted position.

6. In a regulator mechanism for a vehicle window, a pair of oppositely disposed swinging arms, links pivoted respectively to the free ends of said arms and to the window, a pair of meshing gears to which the opposite ends of said arms are secured respectively, a reel having a concentric gear meshing with one of said gears, a cable fixed to said reel for operating same, and a brake associated with said reel for holding same from movement upon slacking of said cable.

7. In a vehicle body having a door mounted for swinging movements to and from closed position, a window slidable in said door, regulator mechanism operatively connected to said window for actuating same, a pedal pivoted at one end to the vehicle body, a flexible connection between said pedal and said regulator mechanism enabling opening of said door without actuating said regulator mechanism, said mechanism being constructed and arranged to impart movement to the window in one direction by depressing said pedal and in the opposite direction by lifting said pedal.

8. In a regulator mechanism for a vehicle window, a pair of oppositely disposed swinging arms, links pivoted respectively to the free ends of said arms and to the window, a pair of meshing gears to which the opposite ends of said arms are secured respectively, a cam member coaxial with one arm and movable therewith, a cable connected to drive said cam member,

and means operative upon slacking of said cable.

for holding said arms against further movement.

9. In a regular mechanism for a vehicle win dow, a pair of oppositely disposed swinging arms, links pivoted respectively to the free ends of said arms and to the window, a pair of meshing gears to which the opposite ends of said arms are secured respectively, a manually operable cable drive operatively connected to one of said arms, and means operative upon slacking of said cable for positively locking said arms against movement in one direction.

10. In a regulator mechanism for a vehiclewindow, a pair of oppositely disposed swinging arms operatively connected to the window at one end, a pair of meshing gears to which opposite ends of said arms are secured respectively, a carriage for said gears, oppositely disposed racks with which said gears mesh respectively, cable means operatively connected to actuate said gears, and a brake for holding said gears against movement upon slacking of said cable.

11. In a regulator mechanism for vehicle windows, a swinging arm for raising and lowering a vertically movable window, a flexible cable for operating said arm, a brake operatively interposed between said cable and arm for holding said arm against movement, and means for rendering said brake operative at any position of adjustment of the arm upon slacking of said cable.

12. In a regulator mechanism for vehicle windows, a swinging arm for raising and lowering a vertically movable Window, a flexible cable for operating said arm, a pedal to which said cable is connected, a brake operatively interposed between said cable and arm for holding said arm against movement, and means for rendering said brake operative at any position of adjustment of the arm upon slacking of said cable.

13. In a vehicle body having a door mounted for swinging movements to and from closed position, a window slidable in said door, regulator mechanism operatively connected to said window for actuating same, a pedal pivotally mounted in the vehicle body, a flexible cable connection between said pedal and regulator mechanism enabling opening of the door without actuating said regulator mechanism, and means forming part of said mechanism for imparting movement to the window in one direction by depressing said pedal and in the opposite direction by releasing the pedal While maintaining the cable under predetermined tension.

14. In a regulator mechanism for vehicle windows, a swinging arm for actuating the window, a cam member co-axial with said arm and movable therewith, a flexible cable connected to drive said cam member, a brake operatively interposed between the cam and arm for holding said arm against movement, and means for rendering said brake operative upon slacking of said cable.

15. In a regulator mechanism for vehicle windows, a swinging arm for actuating the window, a flexible cable for operating said arm, a pedal to which said cable is connected, a brake for holding said arm against movement, operative means for imparting movement to said arm in one direction after releasing said brake by depressing said pedal, and means for moving the arm in the opposite direction by releasing the brake while maintaining the cable under predetermined tension by means of the pedal.

16. In a regulator mechanism for vehicle windows, a vertically movable window, moans stationary with respect to the movable window, a pair of oppositely swingable members each having one end connected to an edge portion of the window with the points of connection being spaced from each other, means for operatively interconnecting said members so that movement of one will cause movement of the other, means associated with said members and said stationary means operable as a result of swinging movement of said members to cause additional vertical movement of the ends of the members connected to the window, an oscillatable leverage multiplying device, manual means for actuating said leverage multiplying device, a drive pin connected to one of said members, and means for operatively connecting the oscillatable leverage multiplying device to said members through said drive pin so that oscillations of the leverage multiplying device will cause simultaneous swinging of said members.

1'7. In a regulator mechanism for vehicle windows, a vertically movable window, means stationary with respect to the movable window, a pair of oppositely swingable members each ha ing one end connected to an edge portion of said window with said points of connection being spaced from each other, means for operatively interconnecting said members so that movement of one will cause movement of the other, means associated with said members and said stationary means operable as a result of swinging movement of said members to cause additional vertical movement of the ends of the members connected to the window, a manually operable oscillatable element, a drive pin connected to one of said members, a projection carried by said oscillatable element operatively connected to said drive pin to cause oscillations of the element to result in simultaneous swinging movement of the members, and spring means attached to one of said members tending to swing said member in one direction.

18. In a regulator mechanism for vehicle windows, a vertically movable window, means stationary with respect to the movable window, a pair of oppositely swingable members each having one end connected to an edge portion of the window with the points of connection being spaced from each other, means for operatively interconnecting said members so that movement of one will cause movement of the other, means associated with said members and said stationary means operable as a result of swinging movement of said members to cause additional vertical movement of the ends of the members connected to the window, an oscillatable leverage multiplying device, means for actuating said leverage multiplying device, a drive pin connected to one of said members, means for operatively connecting the oscillatable leverage multiplying device to said members through said drive pin so that oscillations of the leverage multiplying device will cause simultaneous swinging of said members, and spring means attached to one of said members tending to swing said member in one direction.

STANLEY W. NICHOLSQN. 

